Changing permanent jobs on a frequent basis is a problem and eventually will prevent companies from seeing you as a viable hiring option. That said, staying at a job too long when an employee really knows they should leave is also a problem. Remaining in a job that is no longer a good fit or one that isn’t taking you towards your career goals can be driven by both practical and emotional reasons. Some of the practical reasons are things like a decent paycheck, benefits, and the anticipation of future work experience that will look good on your resume. While these things all matter, it’s worth asking if you could get these things or improve upon them at another company that would be a better opportunity and cultural fit. Some of the emotional reasons employees stay are fear of making a change, concerns about the unknowns in a new job opportunity, or a sense of loyalty you feel towards your current boss and colleagues. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these and the psychology behind why people stay at a role that is no longer serving their best long term interest.